General Assistance - MOE Budget Performance Measures

New General Assistance applications per month

Current Value

7,560

2024

Definition

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Story Behind the Curve

February 2025-

Since late 2021, and the end of federal stimulus and pandemic unemployment benefits, the GA caseload has been increasing. In the last six months of FY 2024, the WBA caseload averaged 8,541 and stands at 8,810 as of December 2024.
At 4.7%, Alameda County’s unemployment rate ranks 18^th in the state which is significantly higher than all surrounding counties with the exception of Contra Costa County (ranked 19^th). It is assumed that having a higher bay area unemployment rate contributes to more persons needing GA assistance.

Previous Years -

The steep decline between FY 19-20 and FY 20-21 reflects primarily the impact of Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB)/Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) programs available, including the inclusion of worker populations not normally eligible for UIB. The upturn between FY 20-21 and FY 21-22 reflects an assumption that more individuals are expected to apply after UIB benefits/extensions/COVID relief programs end.

As UIB, PAU and other COVID relief programs sunset, and a piloted guranteed income initiative is instituted, we anticpate an increase in monthly program applications over the FY 21-22 and FY 22-23 period.

Methodology: How did you get these numbers?

New apps; avg of 12 months

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